MIGRAIN: Introduction to Feminism

Watch the Everyday Sexism TED talk from Laura Bates (linked above) and answer the following questions:

1) Why did Laura Bates start the Everyday Sexism project?

People kept saying that people are more or less equal and that women shouldn't make a fuss but Laura Bates saw that this was not true and that she should make a fuss. She did this by trying to make awareness of the problem so she  set up a website where people could talk about their experiences/

2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?

It links to the idea that we're in post-feminism as people say that men and women are more or less equal and that they shouldn't make a fuss about it but it can be argued that feminism is still required in Western Societies.

3) Why was new technology essential to the success of the Everyday Sexism project?

Laura Bates lacked the funding in order to keep the site going and believed only a small number would share their experiences.

4) Will there be a point in the future when the Everyday Sexism project is not required? What is YOUR view on the future of feminism?

In my opinion, there will always be a need for Everyday Feminism as there will always be traces of sexism as it has been normalised by certain groups.

Media Magazine: The fourth wave?

Read the article: The Fourth Wave? Feminism in the Digital Age in MM55 (p64). You'll find the article in our Media Magazine archive here.

1) Summarise the questions in the first two sub-headings: What is networked feminism? Why is it a problem?

Networked feminism, also referred to as the fourth wave of feminism, tackles social equality issues found online and offline, using modern technology.It's a problem because the difference in today's society is that as technology rapidly develops everyday, it gives feminism a chance to be left behind.

2) What are the four waves of feminism? Do you agree that we are in a fourth wave of ‘networked feminism’? 

First wave began in the late 19th century with a main focus on suffrage.

The second wave began in the 1960s, campaigning for equal rights, which led to the Equal Pay Act of 1970

The Third way is believed to have started during the late 1990s which is often identified as post feminism.

The final and new wave is the fourth wave of feminism which is known as the networked feminism, I agree that we are in the fourth wave and women have more of a voice than they did during the other waves. 

3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a short summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.

Everyday Sexism: The project was started in 2012 by Laura Bates when she made a website of which people could speak of their experience of sexism as she found out that people find it hard to speak about feminism. Everyday Sexism is one of the most high visibility feminist digital campaigns.

HeForShe: This campaign was led by Emma Watson. Watson's campaign focuses on male support for gender equality, highlighting the fact that feminism is not about promoting matriarchy, but solidarity. However, many people have criticised this campaign, saying that it makes feminism too reliant on males.  

FCKH8: The movement focuses on the modern representation of girls and the huge social inequalities they face, whilst featuring young girls F-bombing to highlight society's imbalance when it comes to offences. However, FCKH8 is a for profit company, and the video is trying to sell their t-shirts. This exploitation of feminism as an advertising tool created a huge backlash. 

This Girl Can: This campaign has been described as the first fitness campaign for women which doesn't doesn't shame or exclude them, by sharing photos, videos and quotes of women without the usual sexual exploitation of women's fitness advert and without body shaming, however this campaign has been heavily criticised on the social media.

4) What is your opinion with regards to feminism and new/digital media? Do you agree with the concept of a 'fourth wave' of feminism post-2010 or are recent developments like the Everyday Sexism project merely an extension of the third wave of feminism from the 1990s?

I do agree that we are in a fourth wave of feminism that's recognizably different compared to the third wave, this is because the difference between the third wave and the fourth wave are able to take advantage of the technology that has been brough into use and gives women a platform and a voice to voice their raise awareness to the problem at hand and share their experiences.